Passion is cheap, and can be found everywhere. Trust me, I love passion and pour myself a double every morning, but the mistake of thinking it’s enough leaves people stuck.

Instead, be ruthless with skill acquisition —this is what makes you valuable in the marketplace.

9. You have to be on every platform: blog, podcast, social media, email, etc. Not true, pick one pillar platform and dedicate yourself to it for 18 months.

Stop trying to be omnipresent early on. Instead, pick the platform that lights you up and where you can find the people you want to serve.

For me, that was the Academy podcast —because I know if someone listens to an episode and stays with us, they’re my people.

10. There’s a right time to hire someone. There isn’t, and most people won’t not because of the money, but because now they’re only left to do the essential (and that’s scary.)

One of the most difficult decisions for entrepreneurs who start to grow is their first hire. They’ll do anything and anything to avoid it.

The essential, however —are those 2-3 things you do better than anyone else and provide the most value to the marketplace.

11. Managing your emotions is a crucial skill in business, particularly as an entrepreneur.

Without a doubt, the number one skill any entrepreneur must become proficient with is the ability to manage his or her’s emotional state.

Otherwise, life and business will seem like an endless rollercoaster you can’t wait to get off.

12. Focused time to do the non-urgent, yet vitally important work is non-negotiable.

We’ve all had those days where we’re consumed with busywork, and doing a lot. Yet, we get to the end of the day and feel empty and unfulfilled.

Why? Because deep down, we know we didn’t move our lives and businesses forward in a meaningful way. This was a key topic and chapter in The 1% Rule.

13. “Grabbing coffee” usually goes nowhere and leads to someone trying to get something from you or a colossal waste of time.

Every week, I get tasked for coffee or to connect. I used to say yes, until I realized it often led to nothing of value on either side —and if I respect you enough to agree to this, I respect your time too.

(PRO TIP: Ask anyone who requests this what the objective is, and keep it to 25 minutes.)

14. With whatever you’re selling, you’re the first one one the hook. If you don’t see, and own your value…no one else will.

It starts with you. If you can’t rise above the self criticism and see the value of your work, do you think others will?

15. Early on, you’re going to have to be willing to work with people who are not even close to your target demographic. It’s okay, serve them powerfully and put in the reps.

During my entrepreneurial career, I’ve served people from all walks of life —and taken on clients I would have never worked with today.

That’s fine, and will happen. The question is: are you willing to drop the ego and serve them powerfully?

16. You’re going to need an outlet to connect with people on the same path —specifically, to share challenges, vent and come up with solutions.

Even if all you had was a weekly meeting with 3-4 peers in your industry to discuss challenges, it would be a massive benefit to your sanity.

(PRO TIP: Your intimate relationship is NOT the place for this.)

17. This game is a (minimum) ten year commitment. If you don’t have ten years, don’t play.

The person who plays the short game is always looking for the next best thing. Why? Focus across a long period of time isn’t sexy.

18. The way you communicate your brand, product or service is as important (or sometimes more) important than the actual thing.

Seth Godin has taught me a lot of lessons, but this one really hits me. You must become obsessed .with being the best at what you do. But that’s only half of the game, you must also become obsessed how to get what you do in people’s hands.

19. You’re going to feel alone, a lot. Even in crowded rooms. Deal with it.